Manchester suspect held on US 'terror plot'

A man suspected of planning a terrorist outrage in Greater Manchester last year has now been arrested for plotting an attack on New York, a court heard. Pakistani national Abid Naseer, 24, was originally detained last year during an armed police operation in Cheetham Hill but was later released.

A man suspected of planning a terrorist outrage in Greater Manchester last year has now been arrested for plotting an attack on New York, a court heard.

Pakistani national Abid Naseer, 24, was originally detained last year during an armed police operation in Cheetham Hill but was later released. Yesterday he was arrested in the north east by Metropolitan Police counter terrorism officers after US authorities requested his extradition to face trial over allegations that he was involved in a bid to bomb the New York underground system.

Senior officials in the United States said the alleged plot was one of the most dangerous since the 9/11 terror attacks.

Naseer, who formerly lived in Cheetham Hill, is accused of supporting a foreign terrorist organisation and conspiracy to use a destructive device. The US warrant alleges he conspired with several suspects over a thwarted attack on the American city and targets in Britain’ between April 15 and 20, 2009.

Two men have admitted planning to detonate home-made suicide bombs in New York and a third is awaiting trial.

The US says that the plot referred to in the extradition warrant was ‘directly related’ to a foiled al-Qaida plan to attack targets in Britain.

In April last year Naseer and 11 other men were arrested in counter-terrorism raids in Manchester and Liverpool over a suspected bomb plot.

Security services believed the men were planning a ‘mass casualty’ attack in the Greater Manchester area within days. Naseer was accused of being the ringleader and sending coded emails to an ‘al-Qaida operative’ in Pakistan.

The police raids were brought forward after top Met officer Bob Quick accidentally revealed secret documents outside 10 Downing Street. After all 12 suspects held in Britain in 2009 were released without charge, 11 of the men – all Pakistani nationals – were transferred into the custody of the UK Border Agency.

The government attempted to deport Naseer and a second man to Pakistan, but a judge blocked it in May this year on the grounds they could be tortured.

Threat

Naseer was described in court as an al-Qaida operative who ‘posed and still poses’ a significant security threat to Britain. Mr Justice Mitting admitted it would be ‘conducive to the public good’ if Naseer was deported, but the safety issue made it impossible.

That prompted home secretary Theresa May to say all possible measures were being taken to ensure the men did not engage in terrorist activity.

Last night City of Westminster magistrates’ court was told Naseer allegedly went to Pakistan in September 2008, remaining there until November 2008 and making contact with a UK-based associate who assisted him in preparations for the attack.

Using coded emails, Naseer continued to communicate with a man known as “Ahmad” who was in contact with al Qaida after his return to Britain, the court heard.

It is alleged Naseer and his associate carried out reconnaissance at potential target locations and took photos to Pakistan while he told Ahmad to be “ready” for the “wedding” between April 15 and 20.

He is accused of supporting a foreign terrorist organisation and conspiracy to use a destructive device.

Melanie Cumberland, for the US government, said: “Naseer appears to be the point of contact for the conspiracy insofar as it related to the UK.”

Setting out US objections to any future bail application Mis Cumberland said Naseer posed a “significant threat” to the national security of the UK.

She said: “He is a key part of the UK conspiracy.

“The allegation is he is deeply involved in these activities.”

Deputy Chief Magistrate Daphne Wickham adjourned the hearing until Wednesday July 14 to allow Naseer to consult with his lawyers over a possible bail application.